Abraham On Toucher & Rich: How Much Longer Will Gonzalez Play The Outfield?

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 16: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox takes the throw at first against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on May 16, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 16: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox takes the throw at first against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on May 16, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

If the Red Sox can win tonight they’ll be over .500 for the first time this season.

Dustin Pedroia left Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after jamming his finger in the fifth inning diving for a ground ball.

Pedroia wasn’t around after the game on Monday after leaving with a thumb injury. What’s the latest on the second baseman?

“Bobby predicted that he might not play today, but Mike Aviles predicted he thought he would, so it doesn’t seem like it’s that big of an injury or anything major.”

The guys moved on to discuss Alfredo Aceves. The Red Sox closer blew a save in the Tampa Bay series and Struggled against Detroit, is this concerning or just a normal hiccup in a long season?

“I think there is some concern when a guy has two bad games like that in a row, gives up two long home runs in a row. You know this is a guy who they never intended to be the closer and he had a very good run there after some early season problems, but as Andrew Bailey starts to build up to come back it’s a reminder that bullpens are always very shaky and things that look good one day can really change the next.”

Right-fielder Ryan Sweeney was activated off the DL and Adrian Gonzalez continues to play right field at Fenway with Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks both still in the lineup. How long will Bobby Valentine keep Gonzalez in the outfield?

“My suspicion is until they figure out a way to trade Youkilis that’s what it seems like, because when this came up in talking to Ben Cherington during the road trip he made it very clear he did not see this as a long term thing.”